The Son La prison locates in the center of Son La town, on the top of Khau Ca hill from which you can see the whole view of the town. The prison is a famous historic relic that attracts a large number of tourists.
The prison was built by French colonialism in 1908. In 1930-1945, it
was expanded and became the place where detained revolutionary
soldiers. It was considered a steel prison and a hell on earth to stamp
out strong struggle of prisoners. However, in the eyes of Vietnamese
prisoners and revolutionary soldiers, the prison was regarded as a
school providing the Vietnamese Revolution with excellent communists
like Truong Chinh, Le Duan, Nguyen Luong Bang, Van Tien Dung, Nguyen Co
Thach, Xuan Thuy, Tran Huy Lieu, etc.
By watching historic
evidences in the relic area of Son La prison and museum, you will feel
the savageness of the French Colonialism and admire the sufferance and
bravery of political prisoners. Reaching the relic area, you will also
be told touching stories about in-prison activities of Vietnamese
prisoners, for example, mutual help and solidarity, revolutionary
propagation, struggles for prisoners’ rights, etc.
Visiting
this relic area, you will gain useful knowledge about cultures of 12
ethic minority groups exhibited at the Son La Museum.
